Overview

Views from the summit to the south

Burn Peak is a summit that lies on Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Burn Peak has over 550ft of prominence making it one of the more prominent summits on Philmont Scout Ranch. Burn peak is situated in the southern part of Philmont Scout Ranch between Rayado Creek (to the south) and Beaubein Meadow (to the north). The topography when approaching Burn Peak is mellow and consists of wide valleys and rolling hills. From the south, the landscape is much rougher as it climbs from the Rayado Creek 1,000ft below Burn Peaks summit. There is not an established trail to the summit, but it is pretty easy to navigate through the woods up from Websters Peass (to the east of the Peak) or from Beaubien (to the north of the peak). The summit is heavily wooded to the north, but the south and easts aspect that gives you views of much of the terrain to south that is outside of Philmont Scout Ranch property. There is an open glad to the NE of the summit giving one views to the north, including Trail Peak and many of the other peaks surrounding Beaubien Meadow.

It is popular to do a loop out of the peaks around Beabien Meadow. The loop consists of Rayado Peak, Crater Peak, Lookout Peak and Burn Peak. Additionally, you could through Trail Peak into the mix as well.

Hiking Info

From the staffed camp at Beaubien, one can follow the trail east towards Lower Bonito Camp and towards Webster Pass. You can also gain Websters Pass from Crater Lake and by going over Fowler Pass and then into Beaubien Meadow. Both of these locations are best accessed from the Lovers Leap Turnaround. From here, scramble up 400ft to the summit, which is less then .5 miles west from Webster's Pass. One could also access the peak fro the Rayado Creek area by starting at the Zastrow Turnaround. Most people hiking this peak will most likely be on a Philmont Trek already so this will probably just be another day in your 12 day trek.

Beautiful Beaubian Meadow

Getting There

Philmont is around a 4-5 hour drive from Denver or Albuquerque. It is located just a few miles south of Cimarron, New Mexico.

From Cimarron- Take Hwy 21 south for about five miles. Philmont Camping Head Quarters (CHQ) will be on the right side. This is where you will go if your a camper at Philmont. If your staff or if you have permission to hike Burn Peak, you can drive just a little past CHQ and take a right onto Lovers Leap Road. You can then park at Lover's Leap Turnaround and start hiking from here. Or, you could drive to the Zastrow Turnaround and hike from here. Both Turnarounds (trailheads) are similar distances from Burn Peak.

Red Tape

Rayado and Lookout Peak-both deep within Philmont's backcountry

You are only allowed to hike this peak if you are on a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch, are part of the staff, or have special permission from Philmont to do so. To contact Philmont, you can reach them at:

Winter hiking is a no go. Philmont does offer a winter program called Kanuk, however, the winter activities are most limited to things around Camping Head Quarters (unless your staff or have special permission). Essentially, this peak can only be hiked during the summer (May- August) when Philmont's summer program is in operation.

When to Climb

The main season to climb Burn Peak is when Philmont is in full operation, so that is late May through mid August. After that, access is limited unless you are in a special Philmont program that starts after the season is over. Also, in the summer be sure to be off the summit before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

Camping

Camping can be down in a few places close by. Since this peak is on Philmont Scout Ranch, you have to camp at designated campsites. At Philmont, a staffed camp offers program (mostly western activities such as shooting, logging, homesteading, etc...) and has water. Trail camps are your basic back-country camp with a Philmont twist to it. Beaubien (a staffed camp) is is located to the Northwest of Burn Peak (many who hike this peak will day hike it from there). Another close staffed camp is Fish Camp, located to the west down along Rayado Creek. Lookout Meadow and Lower Bonito are two trail camps that are close by as well.

SummitPost

Tell Others about SP!

"I went to the woods becuase I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
--Henry David Thoreau